Finley, Nelson return to practice for Packers

Posted by Josh Alper on January 2, 2013, 2:33 PM EDT

AP

The Packers got two of quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ targets back at practice on Wednesday as wide receiver Jordy Nelson and tight end Jermichael Finley each returned to the field after skipping Tuesday’s session.

Both players are listed as limited participants for the Packers three days before they host the Vikings in their playoff opener. Finley is listed as having a quad injury, although he also has been dealing with a swollen eye after getting poked in it during the Week 17 loss to the same Vikings team they’ll be hosting this weekend.

Nelson’s return to practice is a good sign for the Packers, although it doesn’t mean he’s definitely going to play. Coach Mike McCarthy said that Nelson looked good running, but that the team doctor “has some concerns” about his knee, according to Jason Wilde of ESPN Milwaukee. Given the importance of the game, those concerns will likely have to be very grave in order for Nelson to be on the sideline.

Safety Charles Woodson was a full participant for the second straight day, but the defense won’t be getting rookie lineman Jerel Worthy back this week or any other time in the playoffs. Worthy’s knee injury will end his season. The second-round pick had 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 14 games this season.

On behalf of Vikings fans everywhere, we are happy Finley will be dropping balls come this Saturday night.

contra74 says:Jan 2, 2013 3:11 PM

tokyosandblaster says:Jan 2, 2013 2:55 PM

I love it when Vikings fans say that the Packers had help “keeping it close” last game, when they gifted the Vikings a 40 yard pass to Wright that hit the ground.

At Lambeau, the Packers win. I won’t say it’s a blowout, because Peterson will get his, but the Packers will advance.
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I say its going to be a close game however since it is outside in cold weather I say that the team that runs the ball better is favored to win. In this case, Vikings have a stronger run game. Not saying Rodgers wont be effective, just saying cold weather games typically favor run attacks.

deltaoracle says:Jan 2, 2013 3:28 PM

Twenty degrees may seem cold to Californians, but to Wisconsinites it’s a good day to get outside and enjoy the weather.

I’m guessing the refs won’t screw Finley like they did on Sunday taking away an obvious TD, but we’ll see. They tried to take one away from Jones and they got that beauty phantom catch call which was the reason they were able to win.

Hopefully the NFL shows up with a good crew who can call a game and place the ball on time but the Packers have dealt with it before.

I say its going to be a close game however since it is outside in cold weather I say that the team that runs the ball better is favored to win. In this case, Vikings have a stronger run game. Not saying Rodgers wont be effective, just saying cold weather games typically favor run attacks.
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That’s so 1974.

20 degrees and little wind wont affect the passing game at all. The field will be perfect, unlike that rat hole in chicago.

Should be fun.

packhawk04 says:Jan 2, 2013 3:41 PM

Rodgers and ap get theirs, but the packer run game (42 carries, 194 yds, 4.7 ypc against vikes this year) will be the difference. Pack advance.

The game being in Lambeau has less significance as a home field advantage than it once was by the looks of it.

NFL Network showed a statistic on the crawler that the Packers are something like 12-4 in the playoffs at home. In the past ten seasons, I have them at 2-3 with one of the wins over Seattle in overtime.

If someone out there is able to correct me on this, I’m willing to hear it. Didn’t commit to a ton of time to the research (wikipedia).

The only running back that one could probably remember as a mainstay in those years was Ahman Green. The Packers are built for warm weather and domes these days, not the cold weather of the upper midwest it might seem…

It is not supposed to be that cold in Green Bay Saturday night. AP should crush another 200 against green bay’s 34 front, but Rodgers is probably the best player in the league so you cant EVER count the Packers out of a game.

fargovikesfan says:Jan 2, 2013 4:18 PM

packhawk04 says:
Jan 2, 2013 3:41 PM
Rodgers and ap get theirs, but the packer run game (42 carries, 194 yds, 4.7 ypc against vikes this year) will be the difference. Pack advance.

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194 yds in 2 games against the Vikes? For Peterson 194 yds would be considered a bad day against GB…

vikesfansteve says:Jan 2, 2013 4:28 PM

The good thing for the Vikings is AD and that Ponder is getting a little more accurate. The bad news is the Vikings Swiss Cheese pass D. New Year same old terrible pass defense. Like a broken record. Rodgers can very well light them up so that is a concern. Now the Vikings are having trouble with the run. One way proven to beat Rodgers is the D line pressuring him and getting sacks. So Allen, Griffen and Robison need to attack early and often and for the love of everything AJ Jefferson needs to step up or it will be a long night.

tradebait9 says:Jan 2, 2013 4:30 PM

Vikings winning percentage at Lambeau Field in the Playoffs is 1,000.00

minnyjoe says:Jan 2, 2013 4:36 PM

tokyosandblaster says:
Jan 2, 2013 2:55 PM
I love it when Vikings fans say that the Packers had help “keeping it close” last game, when they gifted the Vikings a 40 yard pass to Wright that hit the ground.

At Lambeau, the Packers win. I won’t say it’s a blowout, because Peterson will get his, but the Packers will advance.

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Did you even watch the game, the ball that hit the turf was like a 10 yard pass on the bomb he caught it in stride and ran abou 8 more yards before being tackled.

As for you idiots complaining about being owed calls again did you watch the game, GB got all the calls including when your brilliant coach threw the challenge flag on a play that is automatically reviewed and got away with it. I admit it is a stupid rule but as a coach in the NFL you need to know the rules.

anarchopurplism says:Jan 2, 2013 4:39 PM

Apparently the competitive chivalry left over from Monday has been removed.

194 yds in 2 games against the Vikes? For Peterson 194 yds would be considered a bad day against GB…
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That’s because the Packers have more offense than just a RB…

purpleguy says:Jan 2, 2013 4:50 PM

Two things: (1) Nelson needs to dress if for no other reason than to assist MM in properly throwing challenge flags; and (2) after reading the smug Pack fan comments above I almost regret not being smug on this site Sunday evening and Monday morning, but what the hell, I had too much fun before and after Sunday’s game to even care about Packer fan insults and loss rationalization.

richcranium2112 says:Jan 2, 2013 4:50 PM

Lambeau’s mystique in the playoffs was dashed by Mike Vick ATL and a guy named Favre who loved to toss picks when playoff games counted. Since then its a toss up.

I believe no bye for GB means good-bye for the Vikes.

The playoff bye is over-rated, unless a team’s health is in question.

stellarperformance says:Jan 2, 2013 4:52 PM

minnyjoe says:
Jan 2, 2013 4:36 PM
As for you idiots complaining about being owed calls again did you watch the game, GB got all the calls including when your brilliant coach threw the challenge flag on a play that is automatically reviewed and got away with it.
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He didn’t get away with it, The Packers were penalized fifteen yards on the ensuing kick-off. Did you watch the game?

crownofthehelmet says:Jan 2, 2013 4:52 PM

There is a bright side for the Pack. Even when they go one-and-done, it’ll still be considered a better year than last. 15 & 1 then one-and-done is downright embarassing.

To bad it won’t matter who they have coming back after VIKINGS CRUSH them and make Woodson retire Finley and Driver and Jennings and come play for us

dukemarc says:Jan 3, 2013 1:36 PM

sdiggity says:
Jan 3, 2013 12:29 AM
To bad it won’t matter who they have coming back after VIKINGS CRUSH them and make Woodson retire Finley and Driver and Jennings and come play for us
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Your boys couldn’t CRUSH them with 199 yards from AP and a perfect(by his standards) game from Ponder. What do you think’s going to happen outside in primetime – two places Ponder has had little if any success.

AP get’s his yardage again but if the Packers put up 30+ points there’s no way Ponder keeps pace this time.